www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Unbelievably while I was photographing this little chap, he decided to open his wings. I almost fell over with shock

Unbelievably no one has yet commented how nice an image it is!!!

Bill

It's superb. Any more where this came from?

Here's another effort

Magnificent.

Do you have any other species in your archive?

If the last one was described as 'superb', where do we start with this one! Excellent lighting, focus, composition and the water drops on the petal add a finishing touch. I think this is a brilliant photo - well done!!!
Mike

Seconded. That's really lovely.

Totally agree, these are superb photos. As mentioned great lighting but also excellent depth of field.
I'd be interested to know what camera / lens you used.

David M wrote:Magnificent.

Do you have any other species in your archive?

Thanks David

I'm trying like crazy to extend my portfolio but am finding it difficult because of lack of time These are taken first thing in the morning before work and hence I can only photograph what's around.

I could really do with expanding my knowledge as to where to look for other species of butterfly and particularly where to look for them roosting as it's here that I find them more accomodating.

Thanks for your very kind comments everyone

Paul Wetton wrote:Totally agree, these are superb photos. As mentioned great lighting but also excellent depth of field.
I'd be interested to know what camera / lens you used.

Paul - I have a Canon 7D and used a 100L Macro 2.8 IS for these shots

nigpd wrote:

I could really do with expanding my knowledge as to where to look for other species of butterfly and particularly where to look for them roosting as it's here that I find them more accomodating.

If you keep reading these web-pages you'll find out where to go to encounter the rarer species.

With your obvious photographic talents, it'd be nice if you could shoot one or two of the 'hard to find' butterflies.

I could really do with expanding my knowledge as to where to look for other species of butterfly

http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/sites.php
This will help you find good sites for the rarer butterflies in your area (where abouts are you?)
Not all species are that easy to find roosting, as some go into trees, and others deep into grass tussocks or undergrowth, but your are right - they make great subjects when docile.
The other conditions to look for, are like today, when the temperature was right on the edge of allowing them to fly. So, when the sun went behind the cloud, they became torpid.
This temperature varies species by species - and some seem to keep going what ever the temperature.

Good luck - (nice images by the way.)

Rogerdodge wrote:

This will help you find good sites for the rarer butterflies in your area (where abouts are you?)

Thanks for your guidance and the information Roger, I'll take a look for sites around my location.

I stay and work on the Suffolk/Cambridgeshire border near Bury St Edmunds in the week, but live in Milton Keynes